372e Marche Saint-Roch de Thuin

UNESCO-folkloremars van de Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse met ~2.000 marcheurs in napoleontische uniformen.

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Leverage a UNESCO-recognized historical reenactment event to drive tourism and cultural heritage engagement in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region.

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Experience 2,000 Napoleonic soldiers marching through Belgian folklore—a living history spectacle
UNESCO-protected tradition: the 372-year legacy of Marche Saint-Roch
Plan your pilgrimage to one of Europe's most authentic historical reenactments

Programme

The 372e Marche Saint-Roch is an major event of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region that blends fervor and popular celebration. This traditional folklore procession held every third weekend in May mixes religious fervor and local folklore in homage to Saint Roch and has been inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list since 2012. The march attracts over 2,000 walkers annually.

Line-up

Grenadiers de la Garde (since 1888; guards impériale uniform)Zouaves Français du Second Empire (since 1890; chéchia rouge, boléro bleu)Sapeurs-Pompiers Volontaires (since 1886; dark blue and gold uniform)Voltigeurs du Premier Empire (since 1986; Napoleonic voltigeur uniform)Tartares Lituaniens cavalry (since 1983; blue jacket, red embroidered vest, fur colback)

Saturday 16 May

20h30: gathering of societies at Place du Chapitre; 21h: spectacular tir des campes announcement; torch procession through historic streets with floral tribute at the "Marcheur" monument

Sunday 17 May

10h: solemn descent of Saint Roch statue from Notre-Dame d'el Vaulx church with honor gunfire ; 13h: family gathering at Chant des Oiseaux followed by main procession

Monday 18 May

8h30: veneration of the relic; 10h: grand military mass; cortège heading toward Saint-Roch chapel for blessed bread distribution around 13h ; 17h: decoration ceremony at Place du Chapitre rewarding walkers' loyalty, followed by final tribute at war monument

Spectacular tir des campes (nine cast-iron cylinders that thunder successively according to precise protocol to announce the official opening of festivities)
Torch procession through historic streets with floral tribute at the "Marcheur" monument
Solemn descent of Saint Roch statue from Notre-Dame d'el Vaulx church marked by honor gunfire
Distribution of blessed bread to pilgrims and rest and refreshment stop at the Maladrie chapel
Decoration ceremony honoring the loyalty of walkers and final tribute at the war monument
Over 2,000 marchers dressed in varied historical uniforms (grenadiers, zouaves, sappers, artillerymen, tartars, etc.)
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